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adoptable dogs, adoption dogs, dogs, fellow dog lovers, humane society, shelter dogs, WHS, willamette humane society
Dear Fellow Dog Lovers,
I have four very happy dog adoptions to report this week!
Rocky
First of all, I had just published my post last Wednesday evening, having featured Rocky, a sweet senior looking for his retirement home, when a mere half hour later—
I got this email from WHS Trainer Nichole,
“Rocky went to his forever home today! His new family has three acres and is looking for a laid-back retriever. Bingo! Happy tails, big boy!”
Hulk
Our happy-go-lucky, always-smiling Hulk was also adopted this week!
Sherlock
Sherlock was adopted, too! WHS Trainer Nichole wrote, “Our aptly named hound mix, Sherlock, was adopted today! He’ll get to go on sniff walks and spend quality time with his new pet parent. Happy tails!”
Emma
Our sweet hospice senior Emma was adopted today! So happy this girl will get to spend the rest of her life in a loving family. She went home with two new dog siblings. She’s going to be so happy!
The Adoption Process
WHS is keeping people safe while continuing to match dogs and cats with their perfect fits of families. WHS is open for adoption appointments 10:00 – 3:00 every day.
To find out exactly how the adoption process works, click on the link below:
We’ve been brothers/best friends our whole lives. We promise to love you, too!
Brothers can be best friends, too. Jack and Snoop, seven-year-old sibling Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mixes, have been together all their lives. They are extremely bonded and will need to be adopted together. That’s Jack on the left and Snoop on the right.
The boys were surrendered when their family, with whom they had lived since they were twelve weeks old, moved and couldn’t take them. They are now looking for a special retirement home where, together, they can feel secure and loved.
When they were six-months old, Jack was attacked at a dog park by a white dog, and Snoop tried to protect him. Since that time they have had little contact with other dogs or other people besides their human family. They are fearful of white clothing (their vet took off his white coat when with them). And they are nervous around strangers.
When Jack and Snoop arrived at WHS, they were put in separate kennels, but soon staff realized that the boys were very uneasy when apart. Since then they have happily shared a double kennel.
With Jack weighing 73 pounds and Snoop at 94 pounds, they are large dogs. They have some of the usual older-dog health issues such as lumps and some arthritis. Jack has a chronic eye infection that will need to be managed with eye drops. The condition has made his eyes look cloudy and we think it has affected is vision somewhat.
These two best friends were greatly loved by their former family who had some good things to tell us about the boys. They are house-trained, of course, and when left alone in the house, they did fine. Snoop is sensitive, he rides in the car well, and loves to play fetch. Jack is quiet, also rides well in the car, and likes to cuddle.
Jack and Snoop have not been socialized with many people except for their family, so need a little time to warm up to people. They are shy and can be fearful in new situations, not wanting a lot of handling from people they don’t know. They bark at strangers, but will stop when asked.
Because of their age and not having much experience with the outside world, the brothers are recommended for families with teens fifteen and older. They need to go to a cat-free home and would need to meet any other dogs they would be living with, as they are selective with their dog friends. Snoop has been know to open gates, so they will need to be in a secure yard.
Snoop and Jack have quickly become favorites at the shelter. They have warmed up to staff and have become more relaxed in playgroups, beginning to mingle with other dogs. WHS Trainer Nichole writes, “Jack did well in the yard with the small dogs. Snoop and Jack ran side by side around the yard nipping at each other’s shoulders and faces. Jack approached me several times for pets and to sniff my treat pouch. Jack did not panic when Snoop went back in first, but we could tell he was much more comfortable when they were in the yard together.” Later Nichole took them inside and reported, “Snoop and Jack know the cue ‘sit.’ They have a nose for finding treats. They liked petting and licking my treat-scented hands.”
WHS Trainer Jessi said this about them in Sunday’s playgroup: “I have seen Jack get a little surprised and bark due to his vision impairment, so his adopters will need to help him and follow some blind dog protocols to make him more comfortable. But it never lasts more than a second and it doesn’t escalate. Jack seems to use Snoop to navigate around when they are outside. Although Jack can get around solo, he loosens up and seems happier when Snoop is out with him. Same with Snoop. Snoop and Jack play a lot by themselves but have been mingling in larger groups, greeting other dogs. Jack approaches handlers a lot during group and allows pets. Snoop was more standoffish at first, but has since started approaching other dogs in a very friendly way and has even done some ‘play pops’ here and there.”
WHS Trainer Nicole has made this movie for the boys so you can see them in action!
Finding a loving home that will take two dogs is often a challenge. Add that Jack and Snoop are two big dogs, and seniors to boot, makes the challenge even more difficult. We are hoping that the right family will read about these two sweet brothers and know they are just the right fit. Once they know they have a new home, Jack and Snoop will settle in and be delightful new family additions.
If you have a soft heart for senior, bonded dogs who are a little on the large side, fill out the Adoption Questionnaire by clicking on the links “Ask About Jack” and “Ask About Snoop” under their pictures on the WHS adoptable dog page found here: https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/dogs-2/
There are no other dogs currently available that I have not already featured, so I’ve decided to add a few new pictures from this week and links to some of my previous posts, hoping a new reader will see them or a regular reader will think again!
Izzy
Izzy, a two-year-old Husky mix weighing 71 pounds, is a bundle of energy and excitement. She is looking for a family experienced with the joys of reward-based positive training who will help her to become the well-behaved dog she wants to be.
She had a great time on Sunday playing.
To read more about Izzy, click on the link below.
Moses
Because Moses is a stray, we don’t know his history. He is about a year old and has not had a lot of training, so his youthful enthusiasm can be a bit overwhelming. He will need a family with Shepherd experience who has the time and energy to teach Moses manners with reward-based training. He is very treat-motivated (cheese is a favorite) and a quick learner.
WHS Trainer Jessi spent some quality time with Moses this afternoon. She said he loves to play fetch. He returns the ball, dropping it at your feet, and waits for another throw.
Sometimes he decides to switch balls mid-game. Watch!
To read more about Moses, click on the link below.
Mandy
The first thing you need to know about Mandy is that she is all about playing fetch! Her favorite thing to use is any “squeaky” toy and her goal is to catch it while it’s still in the air, which she often does. WHS Trainer Jessi caught these shots while playing in the big yard. Oh, and Mandy likes to carry a squeaker toy along on walks, too.
To read all about Mandy, click on the link below:
Molly
August 26, 2019 was no ordinary day for WHS shelter dog Molly.
I had written about Molly many times during her stay at WHS. She was surrendered in mid-July 2019. She was eight years old and quickly became a volunteer and staff favorite. Molly had some medical issues, so wasn’t available to be adopted for several weeks. But we all knew she was just about perfect. She loved everyone, got along with other dogs, and had thought her former family’s kittens were her own. She soon had everyone, including me, wrapped around her paw.
A young couple in Portland saw her before she was available and had contacted me, hoping to adopt her. But someone else scooped Molly up as soon as she was on the website. However, their home did not prove to be the right fit, and Molly was returned. The next day the Portland couple drove to Salem and took Molly home for good.
Next week on August 26th, Molly will celebrate her “Gotcha Day” with her family. I was so happy when I got their latest update.
“Hi Martha!!! It’s all good! Molly had knee surgery three months ago. We learned it’s common for her breed to have degenerative knee issues. She got a new knee, had eight weeks of short walks and no jumping on furniture, and now her bone is healed! She is slowly going on longer walks and jumping on the couch again 🙂 We also removed a lump next to her knee and the vet said he got it all out so she’s good on that front too.”
“She often falls asleep with a toy in her mouth.”
“This picture was taken while she was still within her recovery period and her walks had to be short. We thought she’d love to smell different things and took her on some car rides around the neighborhood. She loves smelling everything outside the window :)”
Once again, I want to express my deep appreciation to the staff at WHS (Trainers Jessi and Nichole and Adoption Specialist Sasha) for sending me wonderful pictures for this post!
On that very happy note, that’s it for this week!
All of the dogs I have featured today, along with other terrific dogs waiting to be adopted, can be found at Willamette Humane Society. Here is the link to the adoptable-dog page:
https://whs4pets.org/adopt-a-pet/dogs-2/
Remember, if you see a dog on my blog whom you are interested in meeting, try to make arrangements to get to the Willamette Humane Society soon. Some dogs are adopted more quickly than you might think.
You can reach me at adoptanoregondog14@yahoo.com